How do you know - and when you know and you live in the boonies?

[missbliss]

We live on a mountaintop, without a car, without family, without anyone but God almighty to help. Seriously. And now, my Mati who is 18 and has had so many things going on with her health is in decline. Food is being refused. I am ministering to her IV's and giving her via syringe pureed chicken. She sleeps mostly. But I can tell she is severely weakened. She is my last after 4 who passed before her. The baby.

How do you deal when a beloved pet is passing and when do you know that it's time to assist them? How do you make this time easier for them and yourself? Where do you draw strength from? How?

 

[Margot Lane]

I live in relative boonies as well…not carless, however. I am not at all sure what you mean by “assist.” Do you have what a vet has to assist in a painless passing? Is there a traveling vet? Is there literally no one you could possibly call or email for a lift to a vet’s? As for your other question, I don’t know how anyone finds the strength, but if you know in your heart it is time, then you know you do not want her to suffer. Were it me, and I TRULY REALLY could not get to a vet anywhere, I would be in this time with her, tell her I love her, stroke her…be in the moment.

 

[missbliss]

I was in this situation 5 years back with my mama cat. Vet messed things up. It was very very hard for her for me. Now I am at a loss what to do. Mind fuddled. I am going to her and telling her all of these things and more. She is truly an amazing and sensitive soul. I don't know though what she wants. Clearly she is in a critical state. So much has gone on - I will write this at another time. Thank you.

 

[CatladyJan]

When quality of life is gone. I recently had to euthanize one of mine and it wasn't easy. I think the most difficult part is making the decision. I didn't want him to suffer as he wasn't eating or barely drinking and it would have only been a matter of time.

 

[Norachan]

I lost my Susy earlier this year. She was at least 14, maybe older. I never knew for sure because she was an adult stray cat when I found her.

She was in a very similar condition to your Mati in the end. We took her to the vet several times for Sub Q fluids, but she was very old and there wasn't much the vet could do. Vets in Japan are loath to euthanise an animal unless they are really suffering. They believe it's better to let them pass at home whenever possible.

I did the same as you are doing now. Kept Susy as warm and comfortable as possible, syringe fed her warm water and tuna for as long as she would still swallow, lifted her into her litter box whenever she seemed to be struggling to stand up but kept a steady supply of clean blankets and puppy pee pads under her for when she didn't make it.

I'm sure she knew she was dying. She didn't seem to be in any pain at all, just very weary.

Talk to Mati and tell her everything you want her to know. It's kind of an honour to be there for them in the end. She knows it's her time and she appreciates you for being there for her.

 

[di and bob]

Yes, dying at home, naturally, is not the easiest thing to witness, but it is nature's way and will come to us all when it is our time. Dying is not easy, but it is mostly painless, because the body starts to shut down way before the final breathes. A good oral liquid pain med is a good thing to have, it doesn't even have to be swallowed, it can be absorbed through the mouth. Most cats pull away and hide, they don't want to distress those who love them and feel safer. The mind fights against shutting down, the will to live is especially strong in cats, and they struggle against the darkness. Just be with her, let her feel your love, and tell her you will be here to remember her and all the times you spent together. Just be there for her. it is all she needs. Somehow you find the strength to be there in your love for her. Pray to find the strength to go on and for a peaceful passing for your beloved little one. May God bless you both......

 

[missbliss]

When quality of life is gone. I recently had to euthanize one of mine and it wasn't easy. I think the most difficult part is making the decision. I didn't want him to suffer as he wasn't eating or barely drinking and it would have only been a matter of time.

We just got back from the vet. After 3 doctors saw her, blood and urine were taken, it was found that she had kidney and liver involvement. She has passed. She was an extraordinary feline. The best of the best. I won the lottery when I met her. May her memory be a blessing. She was a very special soul. Thank you.

 

[missbliss]

Yes, dying at home, naturally, is not the easiest thing to witness, but it is nature's way and will come to us all when it is our time. Dying is not easy, but it is mostly painless, because the body starts to shut down way before the final breathes. A good oral liquid pain med is a good thing to have, it doesn't even have to be swallowed, it can be absorbed through the mouth. Most cats pull away and hide, they don't want to distress those who love them and feel safer. The mind fights against shutting down, the will to live is especially strong in cats, and they struggle against the darkness. Just be with her, let her feel your love, and tell her you will be here to remember her and all the times you spent together. Just be there for her. it is all she needs. Somehow you find the strength to be there in your love for her. Pray to find the strength to go on and for a peaceful passing for your beloved little one. May God bless you both......

She was suffering too much. She had a long life but one filled with many surgeries and health issues. She was the feistiest, smartest, most sensitive of all my cats. The last. I will have no more. I thought we could do it at home. There were no more options. I prayed, put crystals, cried, kissed and told her how much I love her. She is now with God, my other animal warriors who lived with us. She is not alone. I promised her - she would never be alone. Thank you so much.

 

[missbliss]

I lost my Susy earlier this year. She was at least 14, maybe older. I never knew for sure because she was an adult stray cat when I found her.

She was in a very similar condition to your Mati in the end. We took her to the vet several times for Sub Q fluids, but she was very old and there wasn't much the vet could do. Vets in Japan are loath to euthanise an animal unless they are really suffering. They believe it's better to let them pass at home whenever possible.

I did the same as you are doing now. Kept Susy as warm and comfortable as possible, syringe fed her warm water and tuna for as long as she would still swallow, lifted her into her litter box whenever she seemed to be struggling to stand up but kept a steady supply of clean blankets and puppy pee pads under her for when she didn't make it.

I'm sure she knew she was dying. She didn't seem to be in any pain at all, just very weary.

Talk to Mati and tell her everything you want her to know. It's kind of an honour to be there for them in the end. She knows it's her time and she appreciates you for being there for her.

Thank you so much. She has passed. Decided with the blood and urine taken. It's been a hard journey these last months since her anemia was dx'd. I should have taken her to this vet we just came back from. He is the best. I had to take a taxi to get there - it cost me a lot, but I trusted this vet to do the right thing and spoke some very kind words to me about this being the right thing to do and he really knows his stuff. She was suffering a lot but didn't want to let go - because simply she was that kind of soul - is. She fought against all odds throughout her life. I will write hopefully tomorrow about her story and how we became family. I think God blessed me when He put her in my life.

 

[Mamanyt1953]

Rest you gentle, Sweet Friend, dream you deep. Your pawprints are on someone's heart forever.

My heart with yours. Now, from her place in That Place Where All Things Are Know, this sweet girl blesses you, and she sends her love, translated and purified into Love, back to you to walk with you down through all your days. Because Love abides. Always and forever, Love abides.

 

[missbliss]

Thank you so very very much. Amen.

 

[Margot Lane]

Thank you so very very much. Amen.

Hey Miss Bliss, thought I’d check on you. It’s been awhile I know but I felt your story, you being so far away from a vet. Hopefully time has eased the grief & don’t mean to bring it up again, just impressed you took a taxi from a freaking mountaintop. That’s a whole lotta moxie and dedication, and am positive Mati appreciated the effort. Hope you’re well.

 

[missbliss]

Hey Miss Bliss, thought I’d check on you. It’s been awhile I know but I felt your story, you being so far away from a vet. Hopefully time has eased the grief & don’t mean to bring it up again, just impressed you took a taxi from a freaking mountaintop. That’s a whole lotta moxie and dedication, and am positive Mati appreciated the effort. Hope you’re well.

Hi Margot,

It's been incredibly hard these last 5 months. Mati was such a great light. We had a very, very close connection, bonded on a soul level. I am still grieving but better. There isn't a day or hour that I don't think of her. She was one of the sweetest, fiestiest and most sensitive of felines I've had the honor of caring for. They come into our lives at the right time. She was in mine for the right reasons and the best of times. Thank you for your inquiring about me. Blessings.